Dexter McCluster's Future With Kansas City Chiefs Looks Bleak

By Devin O'Barr

Denny Medley – USA TODAY Sports

As soon as the Kansas City Chiefs‘ fan base licks its wounds after blowing a 28-point lead to the Indianapolis Colts, the folks in Kansas City will soon realize that the Chiefs are in great position to rattle off 11 more wins in 2014. In fact, just about the whole 2013 club will be returning, as the team’s most expensive free agent is defensive end Tyson Jackson, who is likely to be shown the door after recording just four sacks this season.

As for the offensive side of the ball; Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has a rather tough choice to make when it comes to the fate of Dexter McCluster. The former second-round pick responded well to the Andy Reid hire this year as McCluster recorded a career-high 511 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air. However, the Chiefs’ new system all but put an end to McCluster’s days as a running back/wide receiver. Two years after a season with 516 rushing yards, McCluster was held to just five in 2013.

With all of that in mind, McCluster does not have a contract with the Chiefs after 2013. Therefore, Reid and Dorsey will have to decide whether or not the speedy wide receiver is in the team’s long-term plans. Long story short; I fully expect McCluster to be playing someplace else in 2014. Alex Smith needs a big-body wideout who can convert crucial third downs and the 5-foot-9 McCluster just isn’t that.

Hence, the Chiefs should be players in the wide receiver marker this year with players like Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and Hakeem Nicks all likely to be in the mix.